The impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in United States history and politics is large and substantial. Since their inception, these institutions have produced pioneers of numerous industries. Their involvement in national and local movements such as organizing the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which organized the Freedom Rides of 1962 (Shaw University), the Greensboro Sit-Ins of 1960 (North Carolina A&T State University), and the local desegregation activities of South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, and many more, provide proof of a commitment to civic activity and political involvement.
Given this history and tradition, it is alarming to see a 10.6% decrease in HBCU student voting and a 5.3% decrease in total Black student voting between the 2012 and 2016 General Election.
In preparation for the 2020 Election, Campus Vote Project’s Legacy Initiative and the NAACP Youth and College Division partnered to identify barriers to student voting on HBCU campuses through open and honest conversations, called HBCU Roundtables. The information and perspectives presented are the result of two HBCU Roundtable discussions held on April 21, 2020 and June 04, 2020, with 45 HBCU students representing 20 different campuses. This research outlines four major themes that emerged during these discussions and proposes solutions for those who engage and support HBCU students as they exercise their right to vote.
